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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
[Antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from 181 children with complicated urinary tract infection]
Yan Liu1, Bi-Li Zhang, Wen-Hong Wang
1Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
Insights
Complicated urinary tract infections in children are often caused by multidrug-resistant E. coli and increasing enterococci. Treatment requires careful consideration of pathogen susceptibility testing results.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) pose a significant health challenge in pediatric populations.
- Understanding pathogen distribution and antibiotic susceptibility is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of pathogens causing cUTIs in children.
- To inform clinical decision-making for antimicrobial therapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 181 children with cUTIs.
- Identification of pathogens via urine culture.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for common isolates.
Main Results:
- Gram-negative bacilli (63.5%) were predominant, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) being the most common (42.0%).
- Enterococci faecalis accounted for 15.5% of Gram-positive cocci infections.
- High resistance rates were observed for E. coli against ampicillin (89.4%) and several cephalosporins, while sensitivity was noted for imipenem and furadantin. Enterococci faecalis showed high resistance to rifampicin but low resistance to vancomycin and linezolid. Multiresistant strains comprised 77.4% of Gram-negative bacilli.
Conclusions:
- E. coli remains the primary pathogen in pediatric cUTIs, with a concerning rise in enterococcal infections.
- These pathogens exhibit high rates of multidrug resistance, necessitating targeted antimicrobial strategies.
- Antimicrobial therapy must be guided by urine culture and susceptibility testing.
Objective:
To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from children with complicated urinary tract infection.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from 181 children with complicated urinary tract infection (positive urine culture). The antibiotic resistance of common pathogens was determined by the antimicrobial susceptibility test.
Results:
Gram-negative bacilli were the main pathogens (63.5%), and involved Escherichia coli (E.coli) of 42.0%. Gram-positive cocci accounted for 32.1%, and involved enterococci faecalis of 15.5%. Fungi infection was found in 4.4% of children. The resistance rate of E.coli to ampicillin was the highest (89.4%), but the rate decreased significantly by adding amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (34.2%). E.coli had a high resistance rate to cephazolin, ceftriaxone and cafalotin (>50%), but the resistance rate of E.coli to cefoperazone/sulbouam was significantly lower than other cephalosporins (P<0.01). E.coli was sensitive to imipenem and displayed a lower resistance rate to furadantin (<10%). The resistance rate of enterococci faecalis to rifampicin was high (78.3%), but was low to furadantin, vancomycin and linezolid (<10%). The multiresistant strains accounted for 77.4% of gram-negative bacilli.
Conclusions:
E.coli is the major pathogen in children with complicated urinary tract infection, and the enterococci-caused urinary tract infection has been increasing. These pathogens have a high antibiotic resistance, and most of them are multiresistant. Antimicrobial therapy should be based on the results of urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test.
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